Book Giveaway: Hedy Lamarr’s Double Life by Laurie Wallmark

Author Laurie Wallmark has a new picture book titled, HEDY LAMARR’S DOUBLE LIFE, illustrated by Katy Wu (featured on Illustrator Saturday). It is available in bookstores on February 5th. If you live near NYC, Laurie is having a book signing on February 7th at the CORNER BOOKSTORE – 1313 Madison Ave. NY, NY at 5:30 PM. I’ve read this picture book and it is exceptional blend of a little known side of Hedy Lamarr and eye-catching illustrations by Kate that brings the story to life. I love all of Laurie’s STEM books, but I would have to put this one at the top.

Laurie has agreed to share a book with one lucky winner. All you have to do to get in the running is to leave a comment. Reblog, tweet, or talk about it on Facebook with a link and you will get additional chances to win. Just let me know the other things you do to share the good news, so I can put in the right amount of tickets in my basket for you.

Sharing on Facebook, Twitter, reblogging really helps spread the word for a new book. Thanks for helping Laurie!

HEDY LAMARR’S DOUBLE LIFE BOOK DESCRIPTION:

Movie star by day, ace inventor at night: learn about the hidden life of actress Hedy Lamarr!

To her adoring public, Hedy Lamarr was a glamorous movie star, widely considered the most beautiful woman in the world. But in private, she was something more: a brilliant inventor. And for many years only her closest friends knew her secret. Now Laurie Wallmark and Katy Wu, who collaborated on Sterling’s critically acclaimed picture-book biography Grace Hopper: Queen of Computer Code, tell the inspiring story of how, during World War Two, Lamarr developed a groundbreaking communications system that still remains essential to the security of today’s technology.

“Revelatory to young audiences in more ways than one.” —Kirkus

“Many STEM-for-girls biographies fan excitement over women’s achievements, but this title actually brings the central scientific concept within middle-grade reach.” —The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

HEDY LAMARR’S DOUBLE LIFE BOOK JOURNEY

When I first decided to write picture book biographies, I knew I wanted to tell the life stories of women in STEM (science, technology, engineering, math). Why women? Because historically their achievements have been ignored or even attributed to others. Why STEM? Because I love science and math.

I collected the names of women I thought might be good subjects for my biographies. My first two books, Ada Byron Lovelace and the Thinking Machine and Grace Hopper: Queen of Computer Code, were about pioneering women computer scientists. I chose women in computing because much of my professional life has been in that field—as a scientific programmer and later, a professor of computer science.

But whom should I choose next? As I looked through my list of possible people, I had to consider many things: was there source material available about her life; had a book recently come out about her; had she made a significant scientific or mathematical discovery, etc. Most importantly, would this person’s life story appeal to children?

That’s how I decided to write about Hedy Lamarr. She co-invented the technology that keeps our wireless communications—like Wi-Fi, GPS, and Bluetooth—safe from hacking. She was also a glamorous movie star. I loved the idea of a book that showed kids that you don’t have to choose between your interests—that STEM is for anyone.

LAURIE’BIO:

Award-winning author Laurie Wallmark’s debut picture book, ADA BYRON LOVELACE AND THE THINKING MACHINE (Creston Books, 2015), received four starred trade reviews (Kirkus, Publishers Weekly, Booklist, and School Library Journal) and many national awards including Outstanding Science Trade Book and Cook Prize Honor Book. Her picture book biography, GRACE HOPPER: QUEEN OF COMPUTER CODE (Sterling Children’s Books, 2017), earned a Kirkus star, is a Parents’ Choice Gold Medal winner, and is on several public libraries’ “best of” lists, including New York. Her next book, HEDY LAMARR’S DOUBLE LIFE (Sterling Children’s Books), releases in February 2019.

If you are attending the NSTA Convention on April 19th in St. Louise MO, you can meet Laurie at the MEET THE AUTHORS LINKING LITERACY EVENT.

Thank you Laurie for sharing your book and journey with us. I really enjoyed adding this to the books I’ve read. I know the winner will enjoy it as much as I did. Wishing you the best of luck with the book.

This sounds like a great book for children and adults. Children can learn a lot about being yourself. The illustrations look incredible. Congratulations! I’m going to have to go check out your other titles. Shared on Twitter.

My familiarity with Hedy Lamarr stems mainly from the spoof character (Hedley Lamarr) played by Harvey Korman in the movie Blazing Saddles. When I heard about this picture book, I was delighted to learn there’s so much more to her story than I ever dreamed. How wonderful to find she was a brainiac who made significant contributions to science. I seriously cannot wait to read this book. Congratulations, Laurie!

Wow!! This sounds like a stellar read. I have been enjoying sharing picture book biographies with my students a great deal. Thank you for making me aware of this book too. It is one I will want to add to my K-5 library!